Burnley Football Club have this afternoon confirmed the signing of James Tarkowski from Brentford, on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Last season, Tarkowski impressed at the heart of defence for Sky Bet Championship side Brentford in the same side as Andre Gray, as they reached the end of season Play-Offs before losing out to Middlesbrough in the semi-final.

The Manchester-born centre-back started his career at Oldham Athletic and was called up for the first-team for the first time in 2011. His first senior appearance came in a 2-1 win against Brentford, when he replaced Neal Trotman on eighty minutes.

After making eighty-nine appearances for the Latics, scoring six goals, Tarkowski made the move to Griffin Park in January, 2014. In his first full season at Championship level, he finished with 38 appearances and a solitary goal.

Tarkowski, who is ineligible for Burnley’s Championship game at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night, will wear the number 26 shirt at Turf Moor.

Speaking about securing the signing of long-term target, Burnley manager Sean Dyche said, “James is a player I have known for a couple of seasons and I’ve monitored his progress from Oldham Athletic right the way through to now.

He is at a good age and has gained a lot of experience over the last couple of seasons and I feel he can be a big part of us going forwards in the future. We want competition in all areas, so we feel he’s a very good player and an excellent signing for the club, both now and for the future.”